Sunday, September 22, 2013

...There are two new books coming this fall on Barbara Stanwyck, A LIFE OF BARBARA STANWYCK by Victoria Wilson and BARBARA STANWYCK by Andrew Klevan. The books are published by Simon & Schuster and the British Film Institute, respectively. I'm not familiar with either author's work so will be interested to learn more.

...A few days ago Jessica of Comet Over Hollywood had a fantastic opportunity to interview actress-turned-nun Dolores Hart. It's a lovely interview of a great lady, and Jessica was able to take a photo with Dolores, too!

...Another terrific blogathon is underway this weekend: Breaking News: Journalism in Classic Film, sponsored by Comet Over Hollywood and Lindsay's Movie Musings. They had terrific participation and I've read a number of excellent posts this weekend, so be sure to visit their sites for the links, which include reviews of ARISE, MY LOVE (1940) and -30- (1959), along with thoughts on unethical reporters in classic films. Hopefully next year my schedule will allow me the time to participate in blogathons again!

...Here's a teaser trailer for Nicole Kidman in GRACE OF MONACO (2013). Someone suggested this trailer plays more like a fancy perfume ad, and that's not far wrong.

...Royalty Watch: Here's photos of this weekend's wedding of Prince Felix of Luxembourg and Claire Lademacher.

...There's a new book out alleging that the heads of movie studios collaborated with Hitler in the '30s. The author's thesis is so offensive -- and easily disproven -- that I'm not linking directly to the book here, but I do want to share reviews by Jeanine Basinger and the Self-Styled Siren, Farran Nehme, which effectively tear the author's so-called "research" apart. Basinger, a superb film historian, calls the book "something of a film historian's nightmare."

...Colin Firth will be voicing Paddington the Bear in an upcoming film. Other actors in the cast are Hugh Bonneville, Jim Broadbent and Nicole Kidman. The script of the 2014 film is by actress-screenwriter Emma Thompson.

...Notable Passings: Boot Hill has an obituary for actress Louise Currie, who died this month at the age of 100...Dance instructor-choreographer Patsy Swayze, the mother of the late Patrick Swayze, has passed on at 86.

6 Comments:

I already pre-ordered my copy of A Life of Barbara Stanwyck (1907-1940). I cannot wait to get it! It looks amazing!! I just finished reading Gidget by Frederick Kohner which was fantastic and now am reading Uncommon Knowledge by Judy Lewis-its blowing my mind away. What a amazing woman she was! xox

I look so much forward to those Barbara Stanwyck books too. If it's okay, I would like to add a bit more info for those interested:

I recommend 'A Life of Barbara Stanwyck: Steel-True 1907-1940' by Victoria Wilson, because it’s been in the making for 15 years and the author has had access to letters and other materials previously unavailable. Plus, there will be a series of books released by this author following Stanwyck's whole life and career. It seems quite essential to me.

The other book, Barbara Stanwyck by Andrew Klevan discussed 8 of her films through 152 pages. You can read a sample chapter from the book here: http://www.palgrave.com/products/title.aspx?pid=477695 (look at the side of the screen, it says download sample chapter.)

Sebina, I'm very appreciative of you sharing the info on the Stanwyck books with all of us! That is great info. As I'm interested in Robert Taylor, I wonder if Wilson's book will shed more light on him as well.